The participation of Michele Pirro, Ducati factory test rider, in the World Superbike round in Misano was feared by the regular riders of the championship. Already with Álvaro Bautista in good shape, they were having difficulty bringing the new Panigale V4 R into line, now another protagonist who knows this machine well was put in their paws. But the operation was a resounding failure. A disillusionment even to the point that we are looking for those responsible for the suspensions...
Michele Pirro thus did his freelance work within a Barni team, whose competence cannot be called into question. It also receives support from the Borgo Panigale factory. Its titular pilot is Michael Ruben Rinaldi, and it is of a good level. But at the start of the season, last season's most successful privateer team in the World Superbike Championship surprised with a risky decision. Rather than relying on Öhlins, as a Ducati factory team they turned to suspensions Showa.
A material that was discovered Pirro. And the driver attributes his two crashes and his modest race performances to Japanese parts: “ I didn't feel the bike, it was impossible to ride » complained Pirro. “ I couldn't feel the front tire. As I let go of the brakes, I had no feeling. I test for Ducati, and the factory machine is Öhlins ».
An analysis that annoyed the team: “ Showa has won the World Championship for the last four years and Pirro criticizes them » said a team official. “ Why did Ducati never promote him to full rider if he was as good as they think he is? ».
A tension that the pilot Rinaldi tries to lower: For me it was the seventh event with these suspensions, Michele was driving with them for the first time. He is a strong rider, he is in the top 10 of the MotoGP World Championship ».
« People think it's easy because Kawasaki is strong with Showa, but the reality is we only managed to be competitive at Phillip Island Says Rinaldi, now excited about the elements of Showa spring. “ Showa is impressive because he gives us new parts every race. So we managed to get into the top 5. The bike is improving, I think some parts are better than the factory team, and we need to improve other things » ends the pilot Barni.
